Obama travels to Dover AFB to salute coffins of 18 Americans killed in Afghanistan

[Cali]

Originally Posted by sluce

My brother leaves for Afghanistan this afternoon for the 4th time. I pray Obama is never there to salute his return through Dover.

I'm so sorry Sluce. I hope your brother returns home safely.

Originally Posted by HWBL

Did Obama ever serve in the military? Otherwise I can almost already
hear the critics moaning about him saluting without having served
hiimself......

Technically, he became a commissioned officer once he became President. So its totally acceptable for him to salute and participate in military ceremonies.

Originally Posted by celeb_2006

Well there's the problem. This is why he was chosen to be president of a powerful nation.

Not to be wishy washy and think politics first, and how his decisions may affect his political viability for being re-elected and also not alienating any constituent, either pro war or anti war.

I'll never forget what someone taught me not too long ago. The very worst decision you can make in anything is NO decision. Worse than a bad decision.

I don't care who the president is, he needs to stop with this b.s. and make a decision NOW. People are dying and there's no support either way, more forces, a clear objective/timeline, or pullout.

For heaven's sake, make SOME decision already. Just because it's him in the white house does not give him excuse to be wishy washy on this.

I don't think he's doing this because of his political future. I think he's taking time to consider all the input before he makes a decision. Anything we do at this point will have a domino effect and its important not to rush a decision just for the sake of doing 'something.'

The way I see it, Obama is being true to his word: he has always been very clear about his stance on military decisions. He doesn't believe in going in for a military mission without defining when the mission will be complete and planning the exit strategy. I think that's what he's doing right now.

[bellini]

I am so glad he did this! People need to see the coffins being brought home. I think for some people, not seeing them, they could just put the whole thing out of their mind and not object. Visual images like this are hard hitting.

Good for him!

[Grimmlok]

Liz Cheney called out President Obama for his early-morning trip to honor fallen soldiers arriving at Dover Air Force Base yesterday, suggesting President Bush honored America's heroes with a bit more class than his successor.

Cheney, on Fox News Radio's John Gibson Show yesterday:

"I think that what President Bush used to do is do it without the cameras. And I don't understand sort of showing up with the White House Press Pool with photographers and asking family members if you can take pictures. That's really hard for me to get my head around...It was a surprising way for the president to choose to do this."

It's not clear exactly what Cheney is referring to when she says, "Bush used to do it without the cameras."

It's true that Bush's Pentagon continued a long-standing policy of banning cameras at Dover when the nation's fallen arrived in flag-draped caskets from foreign battlefields. (Upon taking office, Obama lifted the ban.)

So that covers "without the cameras."

But as CBS's Mark Knoller reported yesterday, Obama was the first president to visit arriving dead at Dover during the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq -- meaning that when it came to taking trips to Dover like Obama did yesterday morning, Bush never used to "do it" at all.

Liz Cheney Suggests Obama Honored Fallen Soldiers For The Publicity | TPMDC

Stupid whore. Oh wait, PWNED.

It appears my post yesterday got the teabaggers all riled up.

Apparently, their position is that George W. Bush’s refusal to honor fallen Americans as they return to this country for the last time — something his predecessors all did — is proof that a) he loves the troops more than anyone else and; b) because Obama did so, he shamefully, cynically exploited our dead.

Anyway, to those wingnuts, and Liz Cheney, my response is: suck on this.



Reagan not only had the nerve to be photographed with the dead. He announced it in a radio address.

"In a few hours I’ll undertake one of the saddest journeys of my Presidency. I’ll be going to Andrews Air Force Base to meet one of our Air Force planes bringing home 16 Americans who died this week in the terrorist attack on the United States Embassy in Beirut."

Looking forward to the drooling Bushbots criticizing Reagan for “turning the funeral into a spectacle with the press and other jackals yapping around the periphery.“

Firedoglake » Attention Bush Apologists: Reagan Greeted Fallen Americans at an Air Force Base, Idiots

[LynnieD]

Originally Posted by sluce

My brother leaves for Afghanistan this afternoon for the 4th time. I pray Obama is never there to salute his return through Dover.

Oh man sluce!! I sincerely hope he is safe and healthy during his Tour!! Will be thinking of him.....

[kingcap72]

Originally Posted by sluce

My brother leaves for Afghanistan this afternoon for the 4th time. I pray Obama is never there to salute his return through Dover.

I missed your post the first time around, Sluce. I wish your brother, and all of the troops, luck.

[Brookie]

Best to your brother, sluce.

Still not sure why Liz Cheney believes her opinion counts for anything in the media, or carries any more weight than mine or yours. Because her dickwad old man was the VP? Think again, sister. Who gives a shit?

[celeb_2006]

Originally Posted by Cali

I'm so sorry Sluce. I hope your brother returns home safely.


Technically, he became a commissioned officer once he became President. So its totally acceptable for him to salute and participate in military ceremonies.


I don't think he's doing this because of his political future. I think he's taking time to consider all the input before he makes a decision. Anything we do at this point will have a domino effect and its important not to rush a decision just for the sake of doing 'something.'

The way I see it, Obama is being true to his word: he has always been very clear about his stance on military decisions. He doesn't believe in going in for a military mission without defining when the mission will be complete and planning the exit strategy. I think that's what he's doing right now.

How long has he had now to analyze this situation? Not only the previous several years, but he's been in office what, 7, 8 months? Isn't this a priority, as much as the economy? Our troops are dying needlessly, billions are being sucked into a country, for what? It's not like our troops can 'stand down' while Obama 'waits' to make a decision. They still gotta go out there and do patrols, etc., and be targets for bombs and whatnot.

This is not rocket science. You either pull them out, or you do SOMETHING to alleviate our troops having to put themselves in danger for a needless 'cause.' How much longer is it going to take him? I'm not giving anyone any leeway because of who they are. He was elected to make tough decisions.

No excuses, nothing against anyone here, but sorry this issue upsets me.

[visitor42]

Originally Posted by Brookie 702#post1933702" rel="nofollow">

Still not sure why Liz Cheney believes her opinion counts for anything in the media, or carries any more weight than mine or yours. Because her dickwad old man was the VP? Think again, sister. Who gives a shit?

I think any opinion coming from a Cheney should be considered.... cause 90% of the time it's the wrong opinion.

As for the thread, another good move!

[McJag]

I am proud he did this-in the middle of the night with the families. I have been in their shoes. The pain is off the charts. There is an anger at first that you can't believe until you feel it. This grief overwhelms your whole world. What you don't see, is every one of the dead has an escort. The widow or parents may request a certain person,usually a close friend who served with him or her. The Escort stays with the deceased or his family constantly. In full dress uniform. They are a comfort,and you feel a surge of happiness that they are out of harms way-at least for a short while. Hometown people circle around you,trying to give some comfort. Just being there is a comfort. You don't eat. You don't sleep-for if you do, you must relive it all over again when you wake. Finally,it sinks in. But it never,ever goes away. Most of the time you are advised not to view the body. They explain in detail what occurred,how they were identified,what he or she is dressed in. For those families,this is a nightmare. The Commander in Chief had the right to salute his Fallen. He was there to honor them,as he should.

[*DIVA!]

Sluce-my well wishes and prayers are with your brother, you, and your family.

[kingcap72]

Originally Posted by McJag

I am proud he did this-in the middle of the night with the families. I have been in their shoes. The pain is off the charts. There is an anger at first that you can't believe until you feel it. This grief overwhelms your whole world. What you don't see, is every one of the dead has an escort. The widow or parents may request a certain person,usually a close friend who served with him or her. The Escort stays with the deceased or his family constantly. In full dress uniform. They are a comfort,and you feel a surge of happiness that they are out of harms way-at least for a short while. Hometown people circle around you,trying to give some comfort. Just being there is a comfort. You don't eat. You don't sleep-for if you do, you must relive it all over again when you wake. Finally,it sinks in. But it never,ever goes away. Most of the time you are advised not to view the body. They explain in detail what occurred,how they were identified,what he or she is dressed in. For those families,this is a nightmare. The Commander in Chief had the right to salute his Fallen. He was there to honor them,as he should.

Thanks for posting that, McJag. Sorry for your loss. It was a powerful read.

[McJag]

Thank you,King.

[visitor42]

Thank you McJag, and my condolesences.

The Commander in Chief had the right to salute his Fallen. He was there to honor them,as he should.

Not only does he have the right, he has the obligation.

[Quazar]

Thank you McJag for the insight into another aspect of the reality of war. As you hear the numbers of casualties on the news, you are reminded that each one was a human life who could have had a future, and left behind loved ones who grieve. It's the ultimate sacrifice.